How to care for a tattoo after it has been applied. How to care for a tattoo in the first few days. Physical activity and nutrition

Proper care of a fresh tattoo right after you get it will help your skin heal faster and your tattoo stay vibrant longer. Do not remove the bandage that the tattoo artist put on you, at least for a few hours. After you remove it, wash the tattooed area with warm water and antibacterial soap, and then pat it dry with a towel. Keep the skin evenly moisturized and clean, avoid sun exposure, try not to scratch it, and then the skin with the tattoo will heal perfectly.

Steps

Part 1

Tattoo care on the first day

  1. Heed the advice of the tattoo artist. The tattoo artist will explain how you should take care of the tattoo right after getting it, so try to follow his advice. Each tattoo artist bandages tattoos differently, so heed the advice you're given to make sure the tattooed area heals properly.

    • Write down the wizard's tips on a piece of paper or on your phone so you don't forget.

  2. Leave the bandage on for 2-3 hours. Once the tattoo artist has filled the tattoo, he will clean the area, apply antibacterial ointment and bandage the tattoo. When you leave the tattoo parlor, resist the temptation to remove your bandage. It is designed to protect the tattoo from dirt and bacteria and should be left on for up to three hours before being removed.

    • So how are u different masters different ways new tattoos, ask your friend when is the best time to remove the bandage. Some masters do not apply bandages at all - it all depends on the products and the technique they use.
    • Do not leave the dressing on for longer than recommended to reduce the risk of infection and ink bleeding.

  3. Wash your hands and then carefully remove the bandage. Washing your hands first will help prevent the tattoo from getting infected when you touch it. To make it easier to remove the bandage, moisten it with warm water, then the bandage will not stick to the skin. Remove the bandage slowly and carefully so as not to damage the new tattoo.

    • Throw away the used dressing.

  4. Wash the tattooed area with warm water and antibacterial soap. Instead of soaking your tattoo in water, put your hands together and wet it with warm water. Apply a mild, unscented, liquid antibacterial soap to the tattooed area, and gently rub the skin with your fingers to remove any traces of blood, plasma, or leaked ink. This will help prevent damage to the tattoo.

    • Do not use a washcloth or sponge to clean the tattooed area, as these may contain bacteria. Do not use these hygiene products until the skin is completely healed.
    • Do not expose the area of ​​​​skin with a tattoo under running water from the tap, otherwise painful sensations cannot be avoided.

  5. Let the tattooed area dry naturally or pat it dry with a clean paper towel. After cleaning the tattoo, it's best to let the skin dry naturally, but you can use a clean, dry paper towel to gently pat the tattoo dry. Do not rub the tattoo with a paper towel to avoid irritating the skin.

    • A regular towel can irritate the skin and the fibers can get stuck in it, so it is better to use only a paper towel for drying.

  6. Apply an unscented antibacterial cream. Once the tattoo is completely dry, apply some moisturizer, preferably an all-natural tattoo care product, to the tattoo. Apply a thin layer of the product with patting movements until it is absorbed into the skin. If you're not sure which cream to use, ask your tattoo artist what works best for your skin.

    • "Aquaphor" - a good choice, the recommended moisturizer option.
    • Do not use petroleum-based products such as petroleum jelly or neomycin, as they are too thick and can clog pores.
    • Once the tattoo area is completely clean and moisturized, do not bandage again.

    Part 2

    Help in the rapid healing of the tattoo

    1. Wash and moisturize the tattoo area daily until the scabs disappear. It is recommended to wash the tattoo area 2-3 times a day with antibacterial soap and warm water until it is completely healed. This may take 2 to 6 weeks (depending on the size and location of the tattoo).

      • While moisturizing is important, be careful not to overdo it with lotion or ointment, a thin layer is all you need.
      • Continue to use a mild, unscented soap when washing.

    2. Do not remove scabs from the tattoo area and do not scratch the skin. As the tattoo area begins to heal, it will begin to scab, and this is quite normal. Wait for the scabs to dry and fall off on their own, don't speed up the process by removing them by hand. Otherwise, the tattoo may remain light spots and recesses.

      • Dry, flaky skin can be very itchy, however, if you scratch it, you may inadvertently pick up scabs.
      • If you experience this problem, keep using a moisturizing ointment to combat itching.

    3. Keep the tattoo area out of direct sunlight. Otherwise, the skin may blister and some colors of the tattoo may fade. For this reason, it is best to cover the tattoo with clothing and protect the skin from the sun for at least 3-4 weeks until the tattoo area is completely healed.

      • Once the tattoo area has healed, apply sunscreen to keep it from fading.

    4. Try not to soak the tattoo in water. Until the tattoo site is completely healed, do not swim in the pool, sea or ocean. Avoid getting the tattooed area wet while you shower. Impact on the tattoo a large number water can wash off the ink a little and spoil appearance tattoos. The water may also contain dirt, bacteria, or harmful chemical substances, due to an infection can penetrate into the area of ​​\u200b\u200bthe skin with a tattoo.

      • After the tattoo area has healed, you can resume bathing, but until the skin is completely healed, it's best to just wash it lightly with water in the sink.

    5. Wear clean, loose clothing so as not to irritate the tattoo area. Try not to wear tight, tight clothing on the area of ​​the body where the tattoo was made, especially at first. Once your tattooed area has healed, the excess ink will be shed on the skin along with the plasma, which can cause clothes to stick to the tattoo. After that, it will be painful to remove clothes, and besides, it can tear off recently formed scabs.

      • If clothing is stuck to the tattoo area, don't pull! Moisten the area with water first so it can be removed without damaging the tattoo.
      • If you wear tight clothing, the skin will not get enough oxygen, which is necessary for the healing process.

    6. Wait for the tattoo area to heal before engaging in intense workouts. If the tattoo is large or near joints (such as elbows and knees), it may take longer to heal, especially if you move the skin too much during exercise. Movement will cause cracking and irritation of the skin, which will slow down the healing process.

      • If you're a builder or a dancer, meaning your job doesn't allow you to be physically active, you might want to get a tattoo right before you have a couple of days off so your skin has time to heal before you get back to work.
    • For the first few nights after you get a tattoo, it's best to lay down old (but clean) sheets in case you start to seep out of your skin.
    • Visit a tattoo parlor if your tattoo needs to be touched up after you get it.
    • Wear only clean clothes and use new, clean towels, especially while your tattoo is healing.
    • Check the ingredients on your soap and lotion labels to make sure they don't contain artificial fragrances or alcohol.
    • If the tattoo is in a hard to reach place, you will probably need someone to help you take care of it.

    Warnings

    • Do not wash the tattoo area with hot water!
    • Do not shave the area where the tattoo is until it has completely healed. If you shave around this area, make sure you don't get shaving cream on the tattooed area to avoid irritation.
    • Do not leave a bandage/plastic wrap on the tattooed area for more than 3 hours.

Get ready: getting a tattoo is only half the battle, and you're just beginning the healing process, which will likely take three to four weeks. Postpone all your affairs, reschedule important events: during this period, you will need to carefully care for your permanent body art so that it truly becomes both permanent and art.

After applying the tattoo, the master applies a protective bandage that blocks the contact of the injured skin with clothing and the external environment. This is where his mission ends, and from that moment on, the quality of the tattoo and your health depend only on you. And the further cosmetic and aesthetic result depends on your behavior in the next two weeks. To preserve the beauty of the picture and skin, to avoid complications in the form of infections, deformations and depigmentation - find out how to properly care for a tattoo.

Three stages of healing

Study the stages of tattoo healing first - this will give you a better idea of ​​what to expect in the coming days and weeks. (It's even better if you do your research before heading to a tattoo parlor.)

I. First stage. The initial healing phase begins immediately after the tattoo is inked - at this point the area of ​​the picture is essentially an open wound and you should treat it accordingly. In the salon, the master will gently wash this area and bandage it with an antiseptic bandage to protect damaged skin from bacteria. Most artists recommend keeping the tattooed area covered for the first 20 hours, although it is often necessary to change the bandage because a fresh tattoo tends to bleed a little. If too much blood and lymph is absorbed into the dressing, it can stick to the skin, and this will certainly disrupt the healing process or even ruin the picture.

Many people describe the sensation of a fresh tattoo as feeling like a tan or a sunburn - the treated area burns a little, swells and may look red, all of which are considered a natural part of the initial healing process. When scabs (crusts) begin to form in this area, you should not try to remove them. You just need to gently wash the area once or twice a day with a very mild soap, then blot with a fresh paper towel, dry it, and gently apply a mild antiseptic that doubles as a moisturizing lotion. If the pain becomes difficult to bear, you can take an oral pain reliever.

Although different people(and on different parts body) tattoos heal at different speeds, the first stage of tattoo healing usually lasts about a week: during this period, the highest risk of infection remains.

II. The second stage, as a rule, is marked by the fact that the skin begins to itch. At this time, the scabs have already dried well and are likely to begin to flake off - this process will continue for about a week. The skin around the tattoo may become a bit dry and flaky (just like after sunburn). Refrain from interfering with this process - just let the epidermis flake off naturally. Otherwise, the scratches can damage the image and eventually ruin the subject of the tattoo by the time it heals. To relieve itching and discomfort, you can apply an antiseptic lotion with a moisturizing and anesthetic effect or add lidocaine to a standard external antiseptic. The second stage of healing will last about a week.

III. Then comes the third stage - this is the final healing of the area. By this point, most or all of the scabs will have fallen off, but the tattooed area may still be slightly dry and slightly tender. The tattoo itself looks a little dull, but over time it will show up more clearly, you just need to wait for the epidermal renewal cycle.

Having studied the issue of tattoo care, also try to think about the fact that you will have to introduce some restrictions in your life and lifestyle so as not to harm the tattoo. And now let's take a closer look at how to care for a tattoo at each of these stages.

How to care for a tattoo in the early days

So, you are already at home, but the master has provided you with recommendations on how and when to remove the bandage (this is individual). Usually, the primary dressing is left on for 2 (minimum) to 4 hours: resist the temptation to open it early to admire your brand new tattoo. After the first removal of the bandage, wash the tattoo with room temperature water and antibacterial (preferably) soap. Do not hold the tattoo directly under water: the flow of water from the tap can be too harsh for a new tattoo and wash out the pigment. The first time, try to wash it “indirectly”, with water splashes. If a large area of ​​the body is tattooed, the flow of water from the shower should also be soft, weak. Do not rub the skin as this may cause irritation. Contrary to misconceptions, a fresh tattoo should not be washed with products containing alcohol (chlorhexidine is allowed): just gently, without pressure, wash off the blood and lymph from the skin with clean hands and wait until the tattoo dries (in no case wipe it with a towel, you can blot it with paper towels) .

After the tattoo has dried, it is recommended to ventilate it by leaving it uncovered for 20 minutes to 1 hour. Then apply a healing agent to the skin: you can buy it in the salon or get by with standard pharmacy healing agents with antibacterial properties, such as Argosulfan, Bepanthen or Panthenol). Make sure you apply only a very thin layer of the product and wait until it is absorbed into the skin. This is very important, the tattooed skin will not be able to breathe and colonies of bacteria will teem on it. After applying the cream or ointment, you need to wrap the tattoo with a protective (food) film, avoiding the formation of air bubbles under it.

A few words about the film. There are many tattoo artists who insist on the use of plastic sheeting: it is easy to use and can be removed without sticking to the skin, and it also acts as a reliable shield that blocks any bacteria from entering the wound. At that time, there are also those who believe that polyethylene is the worst thing for tattoos, as it blocks the oxygen that the tissues need to heal. Polyethylene also seals in moisture and raises skin temperature, creating ideal conditions for the growth of anaerobic bacteria (microorganisms that do not need oxygen for life). Either way, both types of dressings have been used successfully before. Just remember that the polyethylene needs to be changed much more frequently than with other dressings to prevent the growth of anaerobic bacteria.

Thick, non-adhesive, absorbent abdominal surgery dressings are the most common type of medical material used today after a tattoo. They are very effective as they allow the skin to breathe while being tight enough to protect the skin from bacteria and damage. They also perfectly absorb lymph and ichor. Whatever type of coverage the master recommends to you, make sure that you carefully follow the recommendations and follow the hygiene.

During the first two days, the procedure of washing, applying a healing cream and bandaging should be repeated two to three times a day. At the same time, carefully monitor the hygiene of the procedure: clean the skin with pre-washed hands, blot with clean napkins, do not reuse the film, bandage, no matter how expensive it may be, etc. On the third day, just rinse, dry and lubricate the tattoo, as a rule, the film is no longer needed. Well, the period of wearing a protective bandage depends on the nature of the tattoo (intensity of work, size and saturation of the tattoo). The average time varies from 4 to 12 hours, the exact time should be checked with your master.

How to properly care for a tattoo after the first stage of healing

Two or three days after application, a crust (solid or “dotted”) forms on the tattoo, which, as it heals, will begin to dry out and fall off. In no case should you scratch or peel off the crust, otherwise you risk seriously damaging the pattern and causing an infection. Continue washing and moisturizing the skin in the tattoo area three to five times a day. Remove loose fragments during daily washing, but do not rub, the crust will come off on its own after final healing. In case you still damaged the crust, do not panic, carefully remove the blood and lymph secretions, apply a layer of healing cream, and then apply a bandage. Repeat this procedure until complete healing damaged area.

An ointment with an antiseptic and regenerative effect is used for about 3 to 5 days or until the tattoo begins to peel off. You can then switch to your regular moisturizing lotion. Avoid using lotions with fragrances, glosses, and other weedy ingredients.

If the scab breaks off after the tattoo is completely healed, the damaged area is likely to become pale, blur the contours, and even appear light scars. In this case, contact your master and agree on a tattoo correction - how global it will be, the master himself will evaluate.

How to care for a tattoo: hygiene features

Unlike special washing of a tattoo, while washing in the shower or bathing, dirt and bacteria can get on it along with water, which, in turn, will cause swelling and inflammation of the skin, which will lead to knocking out the coloring pigment. Before taking a shower, generously lubricate the tattoo with cosmetic petroleum jelly, apply a protective film on top. Thus, thanks to the water-repellent properties of petroleum jelly, the tattooed skin will be protected from water. You will have to refuse to take a bath for the entire healing period of the tattoo, otherwise it may lose a significant percentage of brightness.

Special dressings will help facilitate tattoo care - there are high-tech absorbent patches and dressings that can be worn for about a day. However, before using them, you should consult a master; first of all, his recommendations are important. In any case, whatever you choose for care, you should not forget that the tattoo is even superficial, but still a wound, skin damage, so that during healing, the possibility of getting into all sorts of infections is not excluded, so try to keep the tattoo clean , dryness and protect from unnecessary contact with the external environment.

The damaged area may swell, especially if the tattoo is located on the legs. Puffiness and associated symptoms can be removed with cold - apply a cold accumulator wrapped in a towel to the bandaged tattoo for 5-10 minutes.

How to care for a tattoo: eliminate risk factors

  • Do not apply cosmetics on the oil based in the area covered by the tattoo.
  • Avoid prolonged bathing and harsh water temperatures: chlorine can leach color and dry delicate skin. sensitive skin around the tattoo. Moreover, do not sit in the bath, in addition to the danger for the tattoo, it carries the risk of infection, as it allows new bacteria to penetrate into unhealed wounds.
  • Do not expose an unhealed or new tattoo to direct sunlight. This may cause fading. If you still need to stay in the sun, you must use the sun protective cream with an SPF of at least 50.
  • Do not wear tight, rubbing clothing in the area of ​​the tattoo.
  • Also, try not to overexert yourself and avoid heat: sweat can damage the pattern.

Consequences of improper tattoo care

The main danger is not even infections, because the damage is not so deep, but the fading of the picture, blurring of its contours, loss of contrast, and persistent inflammation. Yes, at proper care for a tattoo during its healing, the loss of pigment does not exceed 10%, respectively, the original brightness will be partially lost, and this is the norm. However, with improper care, the tattoo may lose 50% of its brightness or even more, the contours of the pattern may blur, the skin may become inflamed and damaged.

How long to take care of a tattoo

The grooming process can take anywhere from 3 to 6 weeks, depending on the size and location of the tattoo. The tattoo usually heals completely within the first month after application, but only the master can predict the exact period, focusing on the size and density of the pattern, as well as on the area of ​​\u200b\u200bthe body where it is located (at the bottom of the legs, tattoos heal longer). Still in the third stage, you should wash the tattoo about three times a day, although this should be done more often if the tattoo is on the wrist, leg, or any other area that is more exposed to germs. If you have taken proper care of your skin, you can expect it to fully regenerate in about 4-6 weeks after getting a tattoo.

How to care for a tattoo after healing

If possible, and further - after complete healing - protect the tattoo from direct sunlight. Well, the sun's rays, like the ultraviolet of a solarium, are able to lighten the pigments of an unhealed tattoo even in a short period of time.

The topic of tattoo healing is beaten, but still there are more and more new questions about how to care for a tattoo. The answers to them must be known before the start of the session in order to avoid infection or loss of brightness in the pattern.If you are only thinking about what to put an image on the body, be sure to read this article. In order to understand what exactly and how to do it, and whether you are ready for it.

Why you need to know how to care for a tattoo

The main and most important rule tattoo care advocates conscientiousness. Regardless of the salon, the size of the drawing, you should always take care of the tattoo.

Note. The process of tattooing itself is damage to the protective epithelium. The needle with ink penetrates under the top layer of the skin, after which it begins to actively exfoliate.

Remember how you pinched your combed knees as a child? The skin on them was pulled together with a film, and even worse - with a crust, later it began to coarsen and itch. If you accidentally tear off the top layer of the wound, then under the crust there was a tender skin that had not yet healed. There was a possibility of a scar. Approximately this is the case with a new tattoo.

It is in the first days after the tattoo that you need to pay attention to the condition of the skin. If it is taken with a film or even worse with a crust, then the probability of removing the latter along with the paint is very high. In this case, there is a risk of suppuration.

Important! With the formation of pus, a visit to the doctor cannot be avoided, and a beautiful tattoo must be forgotten for a very long time, if not forever. That is why it is necessary to adhere to certain rules!

Tattoo care in the first days after application

To get an excellent drawing, you need experienced master and, of course, a good healing cream. There are a lot of the latter in the world, but most often the masters advise which one is better, since they have already encountered the healing process more than once.

The first couple of days, an ichor will be collected over the tattoo. This epidermis is actively trying to expel everything foreign from the body.

The ichor appears almost immediately after the tattoo is applied. If you do not wrap the skin area and do not lubricate it, then after some time the ichor will dry out and simply stick to the tissue that will adhere to it. It will be very difficult and painful to tear off this area of ​​\u200b\u200bthe skin.

Therefore, certain steps should be taken to help avoid injury to the skin.

Algorithm of actions after a tattoo session

  • wash your hands with antibacterial soap;
  • carefully remove the bandage;
  • gently rinse the tattoo site without pressure;
  • blot with a napkin or let dry on its own;
  • apply a healing cream;
  • make a bandage out of the diaper, which is fixed with tape or film.

If the bandage is fixed with a film, then this should not be done very tightly. The tattoo must breathe, and the film, due to its properties, does not allow this. The diaper will help not only open the pores, but also absorb some of the paint that will stand out. In addition, the remnants of cream, paint and ichor can ruin clothes.

Some experts allow at home, after a shower and in clean and loose clothes, to walk without a bandage. This will promote healing.

Before going outside, it is necessary to make a bandage. Because not only dust, but also exhaust gases can adversely affect the tattoo.

Care actions in the first days should be continued for a week. This will help the skin recover and completely avoid infection. In addition, if you wear such a compress, the skin will not dry out, respectively, the paint will be better fixed and will not fade much.

A week after tattooing, you should stop applying a bandage. For the next 7 days, you need to wash and lubricate the tattoo an average of three to four times a day. Bandages should be discarded. During the late healing period, the body must breathe fully. If you block the access of oxygen, the skin will begin to dry out and exfoliate.

Features of tattoo healing

The most important period after tattooing is the first three to four days. At this time, maximum attention should be paid to the skin and pattern, otherwise the result will be much worse than expected.

In the first few days, the tattoo is covered with a film. Thanks to the use of a healing cream, it remains very thin. If the film is thick and rough, then the picture will turn out to be slightly distorted, part of the paint will go away with it. Therefore, it is necessary to monitor the dryness of the skin, during this period it should remain soft enough.

After active healing, a thin film of skin over the tattoo begins to peel off. This is a natural process and should not be intimidating. As a result of the fact that ink was applied under the skin, there was a violation of its integrity. In this regard, it is quite natural that the top layer of the skin will die off. Do not be afraid of the moment when it starts.

Moreover, there is no need to call the master with cries for help and accusations that the skin is peeling off. You just need to wait until the epidermis layer is restored naturally.

When the film begins to actively fall off, in no case should it be torn off. This will break the natural protection of the skin and lead to uneven healing. Remember knees and prematurely plucked crusts from wounds. Many of them turned into scars and remained forever.

A couple of days after application, the tattoo begins to actively itch. This is perhaps the most difficult period that must be steadfastly endured. Under no circumstances should a tattoo be scratched. In the best scenario, an area of ​​\u200b\u200bthe skin will simply be affected, and the paints will not fix there correctly. At worst, the wound becomes infected from bacteria from the hands and fester.

After the top layer of the skin peels off, the tattoo will become much paler than at first. Don't be afraid of this either.

  • firstly, the epidermis was partially renewed, but the main ink remained at a deeper level;
  • secondly, if the master did everything correctly, then the tattoo will take the required color after 3-4 days.

Note! Tattoo artists specifically make the colors much more expressive when applied, so that after removing the film, the drawing acquires the necessary shade.

At correct work the master's pallor of the tattoo will pass in a few days, the skin will continue to renew itself and the colors will fully acquire their brightness. That is why it is worth knowing how to properly care for a tattoo.Without a series of a certain set of actions, the result can be not only pale, but also painful. It is worth remembering the suppuration that occurs with improper care.

Prohibitions for the first days after tattooing, in addition to those listed above, are as follows:

  • you can not visit the bath / sauna;
  • beat the place of tattooing;
  • it is necessary to exclude trips to the gym;
  • do not drink alcohol;
  • give up sunbathing and visiting the pool and the sea.

If all the prohibitions are understandable, then the contraindication to alcohol is a little embarrassing for the beginner. This fact is explained simply. When drinking alcohol, blood pressure rises, the body begins to actively piss it off. This also happens through the pores. In our case, the area of ​​skin with a tattoo is very vulnerable, so sweat can adversely affect the healing process.

Refusal from the sun is necessary so as not to overdry the skin once again. In addition, the dark shade of the body makes the tattoo much less bright. The sun's rays kill the saturation of the pigment used in the ink. That is why tan lovers have to do tattoo correction much more often than those who avoid ultraviolet radiation.

Reliable sunscreen remains the salvation from the sun. Use it according to the instructions or even a little more often. Such simple actions will keep the tattoo bright and attractive for longer.

How to care for a tattoo: summing it up

Tattoos require attention, so you can't just make them and forget them. If you take care of the drawing incorrectly in the first few days, the result will be obvious.

First of all, the formation of wounds is possible. They will be minor, but healing will slow down. A feature of such wounds will be their centering at the end. It is there that it is formed White spot not covered with paint. This is the dermis, which should be painted over with tattoo ink. With improper healing, this does not happen, the dermis is completely renewed, leaving a white spot in the center of the wound.

If you correctly understand how to care for a tattoo, then you can not only not get complications, but also enjoy an excellent drawing for a long time, which will not require correction. Everything depends on desire and consciousness.

But if you ignore the tips for caring for a tattoo, you can get suppuration, injury and a destroyed drawing.

In this article, we will talk in detail about the care of a tattoo in the first days after it has been applied to the body.

1. Listen to your tattoo artist

If you have chosen a good tattoo artist, he or she will provide detailed instructions about how to care for your new tattoo, which you will need to follow. Every tattoo artist will have a slightly different opinion about the best way caring for a new tattoo, but don't worry, the most reputable artists have years of experience in caring for new tattoos, so their methods have been tried and tested.

  • Remember, if you want your tattoo to fit properly and look as good as it does on the sketch, you have to do whatever your tattoo artist tells you to do.
  • The following instructions may differ slightly from what your tattoo artist has told you, but they should serve as a good guide.

2. Leave the bandage on for 2-6 hours

After the tattoo is completed, your tattoo artist will clean the area, apply antibacterial ointment, and cover the tattoo with a bandage or dressing of some kind. Once you've left the tattoo parlor, you need to resist the temptation to remove your bandage. Putting on a bandage is not easy, it is needed to protect your tattoo from airborne bacteria that can penetrate damaged skin. The bandage should be left on for at least two hours before being removed.

3. Carefully remove the bandage

Do not forget that the recommended time for the dressing to be on the body is from 4 to 6 hours. To remove the bandage, moisten it with warm water to prevent sticking to your skin. It should come off easily. After removing, you can throw away the bandage.

4. Rinse the tattoo gently

Most hairdressers recommend warm water and mild, liquid, or antibacterial soap. Use your hands to gently rub the tattoo, removing any traces of blood, plasma, or ink. This will help prevent the tattoo from crusting too soon.

  • Do not use washcloths or sponges to clean your tattoo, as they may contain bacteria.
  • Do not hold the tattoo directly under water. The flow of tap water may be too harsh for your new tattoo.
  • If your new tattoo covers a large area of ​​skin, it may be easier to wash the tattoo in the shower.

5. Wipe the tattoo dry and soft towel

After you have thoroughly washed the tattoo, you should gently pat it dry with a small paper towel. You don't need to rub the tattoo, as this can cause irritation. After the excess moisture has been removed, you should leave the tattoo uncovered for 20 minutes to an hour. This will allow the tattoo to breathe and excess moisture to evaporate.

  • You must allow your tattoo to breathe every time you wet it.

6. Apply a fragrance-free, water-based antibacterial ointment

After your tattoo is completely dry and the skin begins to feel tight, you can apply a little ointment, such as PANTESTIN-gel, BEPANTEN-plus, PANTHENOL-ratiopharm. Make sure to apply only a very thin layer that just adds shine to the tattoo and rub it in gently until it is absorbed by the skin. It is very important that you do not apply too much ointment or else your skin will suffocate and encourage bacterial growth.

  • You should continue to smear each time you wash your tattoo at least twice a day for 3 to 5 days or until the tattoo begins to peel off.
  • Do not use petroleum-based products such as petroleum jelly, as they are too heavy and can clog pores, causing tattoo breakouts. They also draw the ink from the tattoo onto the surface of the skin, causing the tattoo to disappear even before it has fully healed.

7. Continue washing and moisturizing your tattoo at least twice a day until peeling is gone

You should continue to wash your tattoo with antibacterial soap and warm water until it is completely healed. This can take anywhere from 3 to 6 to 6 weeks, depending on the size and location of the tattoo.

  • You should wash your tattoo about three times a day.
  • After applying a special antibacterial ointment for the first 3 to 5 days, you can switch to regular lotion.
  • The first stage of tattoo healing will last up to two weeks. During this time, you can expect the tattoo to start peeling off or peeling off, much like a sunburn.
  • Try not to scratch the tattoo. All excess should peel off on its own.

What can not be done!

1. Don't scratch or scratch your tattoo

When the tattoo begins to peel off, don't help it, don't ever peel anything off the tattoo. It can ruin her by leaving light spots on her.

  • Also, if your hands are dirty and you touch a tattoo that has not yet healed, it can cause infection. So always wash your hands with antibacterial soap.

2. Avoid soaking the tattoo

Until your tattoo is completely healed, you should avoid swimming in a pool, in the sea, or even soaking in a bath.

  • There are two reasons for this. First, by subjecting your tattoo to a soak, water can pull the ink out of your skin and damage the look of the tattoo. Second, swimming pool, sea, and bath water can carry dirt, bacteria, chemicals, and other contaminants that can infect your tattoo.
  • In general, stay in the bath or shower for no more than 5-6 minutes.

3. Do not expose your new tattoo to direct sunlight

Sunlight is the worst enemy of new tattoos. The harsh rays of the sun can cause your skin to blister or whiten some areas of your tattoo. For this reason, it is best to keep the sun out of your tattoo until it has healed.

  • After that, you'll still need to apply sunscreen to your tattoo every time you're going to sunbathe. This will prevent the tattoo from fading and keep the colors as long as possible.

4. Avoid tight clothes

Try not to wear tight clothing at first, as excess ink from the tattoo will bleed through, which can cause the clothing to stick to the tattoo and you have to peel it off, which in turn can damage it.

  • If your clothes still stick to the tattoo, then in no case do not pull it! First, you need to moisten this area with water, and then carefully remove the clothing from the tattoo.
  • Besides, tight clothing will prevent the leakage of oxygen, which is necessary for the healing process.
  • The goal is to wear clean, loose clothing, day and night, while your tattoo heals.

5. Avoid stress

Tattoos that cover large areas or are near joints (such as elbows and knees) may take longer to heal if the skin is forced to move around too much during intense workouts or other physical activity. Movement will cause the skin to crack and become irritated, prolonging the healing process. For this reason, you should avoid unnecessary exercise for at least a few days after getting a new tattoo.

Avoid swelling

If this happens, you can reduce the swelling by taking ibuprofen and applying ice to the swollen areas.

A freshly inked tattoo needs special care. After all, you just literally drove a coloring pigment under your skin. Because of what, you won’t be able to enjoy the aesthetics of a fresh tattoo in the first days, because in fact there is one continuous wound. What, in fact, is the reason for all the delicacy of care in the first week after tattooing.

Therefore, in order not to infect and not spoil the drawing, care for it must be sufficiently scrupulous. If you correctly approach rehabilitation, then it will pass without harm and complications, and the tattoo will please the eye for a long time.

So, you just got the tattoo of your dreams, let's figure out what actions you need to do when you come home.

  • Immediately after application, the tattoo artist must wrap the freshly applied drawing with cling film. This is very important for healing, since the damaged area of ​​\u200b\u200bthe skin must necessarily be protected from the effects of the external environment. As a rule, it is recommended to change the film after 2.5-4 hours, but it is better to discuss this moment with the master.
  • And here we smoothly move on to how exactly the film should be changed. Gently remove it, then wash the tattoo under lukewarm, but not cold, water using baby liquid soap. In order not to injure the already damaged area, lightly walk over it with your palm, without using sponges.
  • Now it needs to be wiped off. No, not your favorite terry towel. Prepare a couple of pieces ahead of time paper towel, napkins or cotton pads. The movements should be soaking, but you yourself will not really want to be zealous - it will hurt. After removing the main part of the moisture, it is necessary to allow the skin to dry with room temperature 15-20 minutes before doing the next manipulations.
  • After drying, it is necessary to carefully apply a healing ointment to the tattoo (not a cream (!), but an ointment, it is also better not to use petroleum jelly for this - they do not in the best way absorbed into the skin).
  • And only after all this, you can again wrap a fresh tattoo in cling film.
  • All of the above should be repeated at bedtime and twice the next day.


Proper care in the first days after tattooing is really very important. important point. For this reason, it is usually observed strictly, but then many “hammer” on precautionary measures. But in vain.

Cleanliness above all else

As we mentioned earlier, a freshly applied tattoo of any size is an open wound. Take care of it in the way described above, so as not to infect and damage the drawing. After the first two days, an evening “purification ritual” is sufficient. Separately, we note that it is better to refrain from taking baths, visiting a bath or sauna, swimming in a pool, sea, river, or any other body of water.

Don't forget to moisturize the tattoo site

It is very important to use a moisturizer in a timely manner. Spread it on a tattoo in the first days 1-2 times a day or when you feel tightness of the skin in this place. The frequency is affected by the type of skin, as well as the area of ​​application and the size of the tattoo. Fragrance products are not recommended.

Avoid the sun

While you take care of the tattoo in the first days and do everything so that it heals without consequences, you also need to be less in the sun. Solarium is also contraindicated. In principle, ultraviolet radiation is harmful to the skin, and it is even more dangerous for a tattoo. Under the sun's rays, it will lose all its colors and become dull and nondescript. To prevent this from happening, avoid ultraviolet light until the tattoo is completely healed. And after, do not forget to use sunscreen with a high degree of SPF protection.

Colored tattoos take longer to heal

When stuffing multi-colored tattoos, the skin is damaged much more strongly, therefore, more scrupulous care is needed for them in the first and subsequent days. Do not, under any circumstances, pick at the area of ​​skin with a tattoo, and even more so, do not peel off the exfoliated skin. This will ruin the whole drawing. In addition, such rash actions can lead to scars, which is why it is damaged or corrected, which is much more difficult.

How long does a tattoo take to heal?

There is no specific answer to the question of how long a tattoo heals, because it depends on many factors. Among them:

  • skin type;
  • The rate of tissue regeneration of a single person;
  • Place of tattooing. For example, in areas with more delicate skin (ankle), healing will last longer than in an area accustomed to external factors (hand). However, tattoo care in the early days should be done in any case.

About two days after tattooing, due to the periodically protruding ichor, a crust forms. As mentioned earlier, it cannot be torn off. Yes, damaged skin itches and flakes, which is why caring for a fresh tattoo is so important not only in the first days, but throughout the entire healing period. And if the recovery process goes well, then the crust will disappear without outside help. According to statistics, the full healing of a tattoo takes from one to two weeks.

To share with friends:
Similar posts